Read 01_The Best Gift for Free Online Page A

an assortment of toys. He frowned and looked at her questioningly. “What’s this?”
    “A play area. A lot of people come in here with toddlers and young children, and it’s pretty difficult to look through books when you’re juggling a little one. Now they can safely leave their children here to play while they make their selections.”
    He grunted in response.
    “Several mothers have already commented on how much they like this.” There was a slight defensive note in her voice.
    “And what about the area in front? You’ve lost a lot of display space. That sells books.”
    “So does atmosphere. When people walk by and see patrons relaxing and enjoying themselves through the window, they might be more inclined to come in and look around. Besides, the other reading nook wasn’t being used much. The light wasn’t very good, and it was so tucked away a lot of people missed it. But it makes a perfect play spot.”
    Before he could respond, the bell on the front counter rang. The regular patron Blake had noticed in the new sitting area was waiting to purchase a large coffee-table book.
    “Morning, folks,” he said cheerily as they joined him.
    “Good morning.” A.J. reached for the book and started to ring up the sale while Blake retrieved a bag from under the counter.
    The older man took a sip of his coffee. “By the way, my compliments on the new reading area. Never did like that one stuck back in the corner. Not enough light for these old eyes. This one is real cheerful and bright.”
    Out of the corner of his eye, Blake saw A.J. give him a sidelong glance, but he kept his gaze averted. “Thank you. We hope you’ll come back soon.”
    “You can count on it. Thanks again.”
    They watched as the man exited, the bell jangling as the door closed behind him. Blake knew A.J. was looking at him. Waiting for him to compliment her on what she’d done, especially in light of the customer’s unsolicited approval. But he didn’t want to encourage her. Change was fine, as long as it was planned. And carefully thought out. And discussed. But he had a real issue with spur-of-the-moment changes. Because in his experience, most of the time they weren’t good ones.
    “I saw some new inventory in the back when I got here. I’ll log it in,” he said.
    He turned to go, but her voice stopped him. “Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?”
    He’d been expecting a comment on the new layout, so it took him a moment to switch gears…and formulate an answer. He’d spent most of Thanksgiving Day training for the triathlon, then he’d eaten a frozen turkey dinner at home. He’d been on the road early the next morning for Cincinnati, spent Saturday competing, then drove home Sunday. His parents had invited him to visit for the holiday, of course. They always did. And, as always, he’d refused. But A.J. didn’t need to know any of that. “Yes,” he replied briefly. “How about you?”
    She smiled. “I had a great Thanksgiving. I don’t know anyone here, so I joined a group from Nancy’s church to help feed the homeless downtown. And we got a great turkey dinner in the bargain.”
    He frowned. Dishing up food for a bunch of down-and-out strangers didn’t sound like a great holiday to him. It hit too close to home. His parents had never resorted to a homeless shelter, but they’d come close a few times. “Don’t you have family?” Hadn’t Jo mentioned several great-nieces? But he couldn’t recall any details.
    “My parents are both gone. But I have two sisters. They’re too far away to visit for such a short holiday. We’ll make up for it at Christmas, I hope.” She’d talked to them both, of course. Morgan had actually gone to work in the morning, then out to dinner with friends. And Clare had somehow managed to wrangle a holiday dinner invitation to the same place Dr. Wright and his daughter were going. There was no stopping Clare when she set her mind to something, A.J. thought with a grin. “What about